Hay-fork.



No. 676,287. Patented lune ll, l90l.

F. J. VESSEL'Y.

HAY FORK.

(Application filed Mar. 23, 1901.)

(No Model.)

R m E W 1 W1 TNESSES:

UNITED STATES! PATENT ()FFICE.

FRANK J. VESSELY, OF NORTH J UDSON, INDIANA.

HAY-FORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 676,287, dated June 11, 1901.

Application filed March 3, 901- Serial No. 52,571. (No motleL) T0 ctZZwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. VESSELY, a citizen of the United States,residing at North Judson, in the county of Starks and State of Indiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hay-Forks; and I dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,

. which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hay-forks, the objects of theinvention being to construct a hay-fork of simple construction whichwill be exceedingly efficacious, strong and durable, and so constructedthat the parts will offer very little resistance in being inserted intothehay and will be capable of ready release to drop the hay.

A further object of the invention is to provide a generally improved andsimplified construction.

With such objects in view the invention is embodied in the novel parts,arrangement, and combinations of parts hereinafter described, andparticularly set forth in the claims.

In the drawings is illustrated a construction embodying my invention;but I desire it understood that the invention is not to be limited inits useful applications to the particular construction which is thereshown.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a hay-fork embodying myimprovements. Fig. 2 is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectionof the upper portion or head of the frame, showing the releasingmechanism. Fig. at is a sectional view through the forkframe head andone of the dogs.

Referring to the-drawings, A indicates a fork-frame comprising sidemembers, each composed of separated bars A, which at their lower ends orpoints are reduced and provided with spacing-blocks A whichextend beyondthe ends of the bars A and are sharpened for the purpose of easypenetration into the hay-shock. The bars A of the side members or legsat their upper ends are connected by side head-bars B B, secured in anydesired or approved manner to the ends of the bars A, and like the barsA the head-bars B B are separated or spaced apart, having therebetween ahead-block O or head-blocks O C. It will be manifest that the side legsand head or head bars and blocks can be formed integrally of metalfashioned in a corresponding manner, so as to provide the guideways Dbetween the side bars A.

In the guideways D or spaces between the bars A at their lower ends arepivoted hold ing or engaging prongs E, adapted to be moved to a positionsubstantially transverse to the arms A or to a position substantiallyparallel with the arms. The inner ends of the prongs are reduced orpointed to enable them to more readily enter the hay and to enter intosockets e in the inner faces of the blocks A thereby carrying the endsof the prongs within the lines of the side bars when moved to theirvertical positions. For the purpose of oscillating the prongs E, I haveshown an operating-frame F, comprising the two side legs F, located inthe guideways D between the bars A and adapted to reciprocate or slideup and down therein. At or near their lower ends the legs F are providedwith pivots f, extending beyond the arms and engaging and sliding inslots f in the bars A.

i The lower ends of the arms F are slotted or bifurcated at G, and oneend of the links H rests between said bifurcated portions, beingconnected to the arms by means of the pivots f. The other end of the'links H is pivoted to the upper ends of the prongs E by suitable pivotsh, and conveniently the upper ends of the prongs are bifurcated for thereception of the ends of the links H. With such construction it will beevident that upon moving the operating-frame or sliding the sameupwardly the prongs will be thrown in their substantially verticalposition, while by moviug the operating-frame down the prongs are throwninto their transverse orsnbstantially horizontal position. The operatingframe arms F are connected at theirupper ends by means of a head of anysuitable construction. I have shown the upper ends of the arms bent andconnected above the fork-frame head and have also shown the headprovided with diagonal stiffening braces I. In the cross-head of thefork-frame are provided grooves or ways J for slidingholding-dogs K K.Conveniently for the purpose of retaining the dogs in the ways theformer are provided with dovetail or flanged tongues 70, engaging incorresponding undercut or dovetailed groove extensions. By this meansthe removal of the dog is prevented. Be-

tween the two dogs is a stop-block L, which may be formed integral withthe head-block or inserted in the grooves or groove therein.

When moved to their outward positionthat 1 is, when moved toward thearms F'-the dogs are adapted to engage with teeth or notches M, carriedby or formed in the arms F, and thereby hold the operating-frame fromupward movement relative to the fork-frame,

and consequently holding the prongs from downward movement by reason oftheweight spring-arms N, provided with laterally-bent engaging ends 12.Each end is adapted to en I gage in one of a series of notches or holesin each dog K. This construction permits of an adjustment of the springto any desired hole int-he dog for the purpose of increasing ordecreasing the spring action. For the purpose of releasing the dogs andpermitting an upward movement of the operating-frame for the purpose ofdropping the hay, I have shown a cord or cords'O, connected to the innerends ofthe dogs and extending from the same beneat-h staples P P,secured to the cross head or block of the fork-frame between the dogs.This cord or these cords is or are connected to any suitableoperating-cord, which is intended to be pulled for tripping the dogs ina well-known manner.

It is believed that it will of course be understood that the lifting'orelevatingrope for the fork is connected to the operating-frame F in anydesired manner.

It is believed that the operation of the device will be readilyunderstood from the above and adapted to engage portions carried by saidoperating-frame, a coil-spring having 0pposite legs each engaging one ofa series of notches or the like in said dogs, and means for tripping thedogs, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a fork-frame having a head, of anoperating-frame slidably carried by the same, prongs operati'velyconnected to said operating-frame, two dogs slidably mounted on the headof said fork-frame and adapted to engage portions carried by theoperating-frame, a spring connected to both dogs and acting to force thesame in opposite directions, andmeans for moving said dogs against theaction of said spring, substantially as described.

3. In a trip mechanism for hay-forks, the combination of two slidingdogs,.a spring adjustably connected to said dogs and acting to force thesame apart, and means connected to said dogs for moving the same againstthe action of said spring, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK J. VESSELY.

Witnesses:

ANTHONY J. LINTZ, EDD. G. LINTZ.

